Harishankar Parsai (22 August 1922 – 10 August 1995) was an Indian writer who wrote in Hindi. He was a noted satirist and humorist of modern Hindi literature and is known for his simple and direct style.[1] He wrote vyangya (satire), which described human values and nature. They reflected his critical thinking and humorous way of describing simple things with huge meanings. Parsai won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1982, for his satire, Viklaang Shraddha ka daur.[2]
Biography
He was born in Jamani village near Itarsi in Hoshangabad district, Madhya Pradesh. He completed his M.A. in Hindi from Nagpur University. After pursuing writing along with his service for some time, he quit his job and took writing as a full-time career.
He settled in Jabalpur and started a literature magazine called Vasudha. Despite it being highly praised, he had to stop the magazine after the publication suffered economic losses.[3] Hari Shankar Parsai used to give answers of readers in a column "Poochhiye Parsai Se" in a Hindi newspaper Deshbandhu published from Raipur and Jabalpur. He won Sahitya Akademi Award in 1982, for his satire, "Viklaang Shraddha Ka Daur" 'विकलांग श्रद्धा का दौर'.[4]
Parsai died on 10 August 1995 in Jabalpur. According to The Hindu, by the time of his death, Parsai had revolutionized the art of satire writing in Hindi.[5]
Ham Ek Umr Se Vaaqif Hain (हम एक उम्र से वाक़िफ़ हैं)
Tab Kee Baat Aur Thee (तब की बात और थी)
Bhoot Ke Paon Peeche (भूत के पाँव पीछे)
Beeemaanee Kee Parat (बेईमानी की परत)
Short stories
Jaisé Unké Din Firé (जैसे उनके दिन फिरे) (Short Story Collection)
Bholārām kā Jeev (भोलाराम का जीव)
Hanste Hai Rote Hai (हँसते हैंं रोते हैंं) (Short Story Collection)
Children's literature
Chuha Aur Mein (चूहा और मैं)
Letters
Mayaram Surjan (मायाराम सुरजन)
Novels
Jwala Aur Jal (ज्वाला और जल)
Tat Ki Khoj (तट की खोज)
Rani Naagphani Ki Kahani (रानी नागफनी की कहानी)
Memoirs
Tirchchi Rekhayein (तिरछी रेखाएं)
Marna Koi Haar Nahi Hoti (मरना कोई हार नहीं होती)
Seedhe-Sade Aur Jatil Muktibodh (सीधे-सादे और जटिल मुक्तिबोध)
Anecdotes
Chande Ka Dar (चंदे का डर)
Apna-Paraya (अपना-पराया)
Daanee (दानी)
Rasoi Ghar Aur Paikhana (रसोई घर और पैखाना)
Sudhaar (सुधार)
Samjhauta (समझौता)
Yas Sir (यस सर)
Ashleel (अश्लील)
Bibliography
A collection of 21 selected stories translated into English by C. M. Naim was published in 1994: Inspector Matadeen on the Moon (Manas Books, Chennai). It was reprinted in 2003 by Katha Press, New Delhi.[8]
Several stories and essays, like ‘Baarat Kee Waapsi’ and ‘Premchand Ke Phaté Jootey’, are also part of the school curriculum in Central Board of Secondary Education and available in NCERT books.
In popular culture
Parsai Kehate Hain an Indian television show which adapted several works of Harishankar Parsai into episodic stories aired on DD National in the early 2000s.[9]
